Selectable fixed and rotational seat frame assembly for a vehicle frame

ABSTRACT

A seat attachment system for a vehicle frame includes a vehicle frame having a lower seat-bracket receptacle defined within a frame base and an upper seat-bracket receptacle defined within an upper frame member, a seat frame attached to the vehicle frame at the lower and upper seat-bracket receptacles and a lower seat-bracket set comprising a rotation-free lower bracket and a rotational lower bracket, wherein the lower seat bracket receptacle receives one of the rotation-free lower bracket and the rotational lower bracket, wherein when the rotation-free lower bracket is attached to the lower seat-bracket receptacle and the seat frame is coupled with the rotation-free lower bracket, the seat frame is free of rotational movement, and wherein when the rotational lower bracket is attached to the lower seat-bracket receptacle and the seat frame is coupled with the rotational lower bracket, the seat frame is capable of rotational movement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/608,572 filed Jan. 29, 2015, entitled SELECTABLE FIXED ANDROTATIONAL SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE FRAME, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vehicle frames havingreceptacles for receiving a frame for the rear seat within a vehiclecabin. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to avehicle frame assembly having receptacles that can selectively receivebrackets for a rotational or rotation-free rear seat for the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various automobiles can include back seats that, when installed, are ina fixed position relative to the vehicle frame and are not capable ofrotation. Certain vehicles, possibly of the same make and model, caninclude features that allow the rear seat to be rotated, where such adesign feature is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a seat attachmentsystem for a vehicle frame includes a vehicle frame having a lowerseat-bracket receptacle defined within a frame base and an upperseat-bracket receptacle defined within an upper frame member. A seatframe is attached to the vehicle frame at the lower and upperseat-bracket receptacles. A lower seat-bracket set includes arotation-free lower bracket and a rotational lower bracket. The lowerseat bracket receptacle receives one of the rotation-free lower bracketand the rotational lower bracket. When the rotation-free lower bracketis attached to the lower seat-bracket receptacle and the seat frame iscoupled with the rotation-free lower bracket, the seat frame is free ofrotational movement. When the rotational lower bracket is attached tothe lower seat-bracket receptacle and the seat frame is coupled with therotational lower bracket, the seat frame is capable of rotationalmovement.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicularfixed-seat attachment system includes a frame base having a seat-bracketreceptacle. A rotation-free bracket and a rotational bracket arealternatively received by the seat-bracket receptacle. A seat frame isfixedly affixed to the frame base when the rotation-free bracket isdisposed in the seat-bracket receptacle and the seat frame is attachedto the rotation-free bracket and an upper bracket of the seat frame iscoupled to a member of a vehicle frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method forinstalling a fixed rear seat on a vehicle frame includes providing avehicle frame having a lower seat frame bracket receptacle and an upperseat frame bracket receptacle. A seat frame is provided and isconfigured to engage the lower seat frame bracket receptacle and theupper seat frame bracket receptacle. A rotation-free seat bracket set isprovided that includes a lower rotation-free bracket and an upperrotation-free bracket. A rotational seat bracket set is provided thatincludes a lower rotational bracket and an upper rotational bracket.Only one of the rotation-free seat bracket set and the rotational seatbracket set are selected for engagement with the lower and upper seatframe bracket receptacles to determine a selected seat bracket set. Theselected seat bracket set is connected to the lower and upper seat framebracket receptacles. The seat frame is connected to the lower seat framebracket receptacle and the upper seat frame bracket receptacle via theselected seat bracket set. When the selected seat bracket set is therotation-free seat bracket set, the seat frame is fixedly connected tothe lower rotation-free bracket such that the seat frame is not capableof rotational movement relative to the vehicle frame. When the selectedseat bracket set is the rotational seat bracket set, the seat frame isrotationally connected to the lower rotational bracket such that theseat frame is selectively rotatable relative to the vehicle frame.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a vehicle with the rear door in anopen position and the rear seat of the vehicle visible from theexterior;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a portion of a vehicle frame with anembodiment of a non-rotational bracket system partially explodedtherefrom;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of a non-rotationalseat assembly disposed upon a portion of a vehicle frame;

FIG. 4 is a front exploded elevational view of the non-rotational seatframe assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the upper non-rotational bracket,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the lowernon-rotational bracket for the non-rotational seat assembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the engagement between the seat frameand the upper non-rotational bracket;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the connection between a seat frameand an embodiment of the lower non-rotational seat bracket;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the non-rotational seat frameassembly;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the rotationalseat assembly disposed upon a vehicle frame that is also capable ofreceiving the non-rotational seat frame assembly; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for installinga fixed rear seat or a rotational rear seat onto a vehicle frame,according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

With reference to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally refers to aseat attachment system for a vehicle frame for installing a rear seat 14of a vehicle 16 within the passenger cabin 18 of the vehicle 16. Theseat attachment system 10 for the vehicle 16 can include a vehicle frame12 having a lower seat-bracket receptacle 20 defined within a frame base22 and an upper seat-bracket receptacle 24 defined within an upper framemember 26. A seat frame 28 is attached to the vehicle frame 12 at thelower and upper seat-bracket receptacles 20, 24. A lower seat-bracketset includes a lower rotation-free bracket 30 and a lower rotationalbracket 32 (shown in FIG. 10), wherein the lower seat-bracket receptacle20 receives one of the lower rotation-free bracket 30 and the lowerrotational bracket 32. When the lower rotation-free bracket 30 isattached to the lower seat-bracket receptacle 20 and the seat frame 28is coupled to the lower rotation-free bracket 30, the seat frame 28 isfree of rotational movement relative to the vehicle frame 12. When thelower rotational bracket 32 is attached to the lower seat-bracketreceptacle 20 and the seat frame 28 is coupled with the lower rotationalbracket 32, the seat frame 28 is capable of at least selectiverotational movement relative to the vehicle frame 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, it is contemplated that the seat attachmentsystem 10 can also include an upper seat bracket or upper seat bracketset that includes an upper rotation-free bracket 40 and an upperrotational bracket 42. In such an embodiment, the upper rotation-freebracket 40 corresponds with the lower rotation-free bracket 30, whichdefines a rotation-free seat frame assembly 44, to position the seatframe 28 in a fixed and non-rotational position 120 relative to thevehicle frame 12. Conversely, the upper rotational bracket 42corresponds to the lower rotational bracket 32, which defines arotational seat frame assembly 46, to couple the seat frame 28 to thevehicle frame 12 at the upper and lower seat-bracket receptacles 24, 20to rotationally fix the seat frame 28 to the vehicle frame 12, such thatthe seat frame 28 is capable of selective rotation relative to thevehicle frame 12.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-4, according to the various embodiments, thevehicle frame 12 can include the frame base 22 and an upper frame member26 that are configured to receive either the rotational seat frameassembly 46 or the rotation-free seat frame assembly 44. In this manner,the rotational and rotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44 arealternatively and exclusively attached to the upper and lowerseat-bracket receptacles 24, 20 for installation of only one of therotational and rotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44. Toaccommodate this alternative and exclusive installation configuration ofthe rotational and rotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44, thevehicle frame 12 includes a single lower connection area 60 within eachlower seat-bracket receptacle 20 and a single upper connection area 62within each upper seat-bracket receptacle 24. In this manner, duringmanufacture of the vehicle 16, when the seat frame 28 of the rear seat14 is to be installed within the vehicle 16 and upon the vehicle frame12, one of the rotational and rotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44can be selected for installation upon the upper and lower connectionareas 62, 60 of the vehicle frame 12. Because the upper and lowerseat-bracket receptacles 24, 20 can receive either the rotational orrotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44, specifically configuredvehicle frames 12 not necessary as either the rotational orrotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44 can be installed upon thevehicle frame 12 designed for a particular vehicle 16. In this manner,customization of a particular vehicle trim, make and model can beaccomplished during assembly without requiring specifically manufacturedvehicle frames 12 for receiving either the rotational or rotation-freeseat frame assemblies 46, 44.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and 9, it iscontemplated that the configuration of the upper and lower seat-bracketreceptacles 24, 20 can be made to receive the upper and lowerrotation-free brackets 40, 30 and the upper and lower rotationalbrackets 42, 32 in substantially the same configuration. In this manner,separate machinery may not be necessary to attach either of the bracketsfor the rotational and rotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44. Insuch an embodiment, the upper and lower seat-bracket receptacles 24, 20can include weld points, rivet areas, bolting areas, or other similarattachment regions disposed within each of the upper and lowerseat-bracket receptacles 24, 20 such that the upper and lowerrotation-free brackets 40, 30 are attached to the vehicle frame 12 insubstantially the same manner as the upper and lower rotational brackets42, 32. The ability of the upper and lower seat-bracket receptacles 24,20 to receive either the rotational or rotation-free seat frameassemblies 46, 44 can reduce the number of operations necessary tomanufacture cars and also allow for vehicles 16 having differentconfigurations for rear seat 14 (rotational or rotation-free) to be madewithin a single assembly line without substantial interruption duringthe manufacture of the various vehicles.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4 and 10, it is contemplated that in additionto a rotational bracket set that includes the upper and lower rotationalbrackets 42, 32 and the rotation-free bracket set that includes theupper and lower rotation-free brackets 40, 30, the seat attachmentsystem 10 can also include a seat frame set made up of separate seatframes 28 that can include a rotation-free seat frame 70 and arotational seat frame 72. In this manner, the rotational seat frame 72can be part of the rotation-free seat frame assembly 44 and correspondsto the rotation-free seat bracket set. Similarly, the rotational seatframe 72 can be part of the rotational seat frame assembly 46 andcorresponds to the rotational seat bracket set.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-10, it is contemplated that the rotation-freeseat frame 70 can include substantially fixed connection points 80 at alower portion 82 of the rotation-free seat frame 70. Accordingly, it iscontemplated that the lower portions 82 of the rotation-free seat frame70 can be permanently fixed to bracket attachment portions 86 of thelower rotation-free brackets 30 to permanently affix the rotation-freeseat frame 70 to the lower seat-bracket receptacle 20 such that therotation-free seat frame 70 is not capable of rotation once it isinstalled upon the vehicle frame 12. It is contemplated that theconnection method for attaching the rotation-free seat frame 70 to thelower seat-bracket receptacle 20 can be a bolted connection, weld,rivet, combinations thereof, or other similar fixed attachment method.The connection between the rotation-free seat frame 70 and the vehicleframe 12 can be a bolt 90 that directly attaches the rotation-free seatframe 70 to the lower rotation-free brackets 30. In such an embodiment,it is contemplated that the lower rotation-free brackets 30 can bepre-installed upon the vehicle frame 12 and positioned to receive,subsequently, the rotation-free seat frame 70. It is also contemplatedthat the lower rotation-free brackets 30 can be coupled to therotation-free seat frame 70 before being installed upon the vehicleframe 12. In such an embodiment, it is contemplated that therotation-free seat frame assembly 44 is at least partially assembled,and then installed, such that the lower rotation-free brackets 30 can beinstalled within the lower seat-bracket receptacles 20, along with therotation-free seat frame 70, through bolting, welding, rivets, or othersimilar connection method.

Referring now to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5-9, it iscontemplated that the rotation-free seat frame assembly 44 can includethe upper rotation-free bracket 40 that includes a vertically-orientedslot 100. The upper rotation-free bracket 40 can also include areceiving member, within the vertically-oriented slot 100 that fixedlyreceives a portion of the seat frame 28. It is also contemplated thatthe upper rotation-free bracket 40 can include various other receptiongeometries, that can include, but are not limited to, latches, clasps,hasps, bolting areas, weld areas, and other similar attachmentmechanisms. In various embodiments where the upper rotation-free bracket40 includes the vertically-oriented slot 100, it is contemplated that aportion of the rotation-free seat frame 70 can include an engagementprotrusion 110 that engages the vertically-oriented slot 100. It iscontemplated that the vertically-oriented slot 100 can include amechanism that fixedly attaches to the engagement protrusion 110 of therotation-free seat frame 70. It is also contemplated that thevertically-oriented slot 100 can include a single-use mechanism that isconfigured to receive the engagement protrusion 110 during manufactureof the vehicle 16. Such a mechanism would not include a release suchthat once the engagement protrusion 110 engages the vertically-orientedslot 100, the engagement protrusion 110 would not be able to be releasedfrom the vertically-oriented slot 100 absent dismantling, disassembly,or other destructive separation of the components of the vehicle 16. Invarious alternate embodiments, the vertically-oriented slot 100 canserve as a positioning mechanism, wherein the engagement protrusion 110is held within the vertically-oriented slot 100, but not necessarilysecurely affixed therein. In such an embodiment, the engagement of theengagement protrusion 110 and the vertically-oriented slot 100 positionsthe lower portion 82 of the rotation-free seat frame 70 to be bolted tothe lower rotation-free bracket 30.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-9, it iscontemplated that the upper rotation-free bracket 40 and the lowerrotation-free bracket 30 can be installed upon the vehicle frame 12before the rotation-free seat frame 70 is installed upon therotation-free seat bracket set. Once the upper and lower rotation-freebrackets 40, 30 are installed upon the vehicle frame 12, therotation-free seat frame 70 is moved into position above the upper andlower rotation-free brackets 40, 30. The engagement protrusion 110 ofthe rotation-free seat frame 70 is installed within thevertically-oriented slot 100 and moved downward such that the engagementprotrusion 110 of the rotation-free seat frame 70 slides into thevertically-oriented slot 100. In this manner, the upper rotation-freebracket 40 engages and, in a loose manner, retains the engagementprotrusion 110 of the rotation-free seat frame 70 in a non-rotationalposition 120 relative to the remainder of the vehicle frame 12. With theengagement protrusion 110 of the rotation-free seat frame 70 slidablydisposed within the vertically-oriented slot 100, the connection point80 at the lower portion 82 of the rotation-free seat frame 70 issubstantially positioned proximate the bracket attachment portion 86 ofthe lower rotation-free bracket 30 such that the connection point 80 ofthe rotation-free seat frame 70 can be bolted, welded, riveted orotherwise affixed in a non-rotational manner to the lower rotation-freeseat bracket. In this manner, the connection between the lower portion82 of the rotation-free seat frame 70 and the bracket attachment portion86 of the lower rotation-free bracket 30 is substantially the only areaof the seat frame 28 that is fixedly connected to the upper and lowerrotation-free brackets 40, 30.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the rotationalseat frame assembly 46 can include a rotational seat frame 72 thatincludes a pivot point 140 positioned proximate a lower portion 82 ofthe rotational seat frame 72. Additionally, a portion of the upperrotational bracket 42 can include a selective retaining mechanism 142that operatively connects to a striker 144 that can be disposed on theupper seat-bracket receptacle 24 for use with the rotational seat frameassembly 46. Accordingly, the rotational seat frame assembly 46 can beinstalled upon the vehicle frame 12 and selectively rotated to a varietyof positions about the pivot point 140 of the rotational seat frame 72.As discussed earlier, whether the rotational seat frame assembly 46 orthe rotation-free seat frame assembly 44 are installed on the vehicleframe 12 of the vehicle 16, the configuration of the vehicle frame 12 atthe upper and lower seat-bracket receptacles 24, 20 can be substantiallyidentical or identical regardless of which of the rotation-free androtational seat frame assemblies 44, 46 are installed during themanufacture of the vehicle 16.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-11, havingdescribed the configuration of various embodiments of the seatattachment system 10 for installing the rotational or rotation-free seatframe assemblies 46, 44, a method 500 is disclosed for installing afixed rear seat 14 or a rotational rear seat 14 on the vehicle frame 12.This method 500 includes the step 502 of providing a vehicle frame 12having a lower seat-bracket receptacle 20 and an upper seat-bracketreceptacle 24. As discussed above, the upper and lower seat-bracketreceptacles 24, 20 are configured to receive either of the rotational orrotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44. A seat frame 28 is alsoprovided, where the seat frame 28 is configured to engage the lowerseat-bracket receptacle 20 and the upper seat-bracket receptacle 24(step 504). As discussed above, the seat frame 28 can be a portion ofeach of the rotational and rotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44,wherein the rotation-free seat frame assembly 44 has a specificrotation-free seat frame 70. Similarly, the rotational seat frameassembly 46 can include a separate and dedicated rotational seat frame72 for use in this separate assembly.

According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that a singleseat frame design can be used in either the rotational or rotation-freeseat frame assemblies 46, 44. In such an embodiment, it is contemplatedthat the pivot points 140 for use in the rotational seat frame assembly46 can be attached to a base seat frame 28 such that the base seat frame28 can be used in the rotational seat frame assembly 46 and also caninclude a fixed connection point 80 for attaching the seat frame 28 tothe vehicle frame 12 as part of the rotation-free seat frame assembly44.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-11, a rotation-free seat bracket set isprovided, wherein the rotation-free seat bracket set includes a lowerrotation-free bracket 30 and an upper rotation-free bracket 40 (step506). Additionally, a rotational seat bracket set can be provided thatincludes the lower rotational bracket 32 and the upper rotationalbracket 42 (step 508). Of the rotation-free and rotational seat bracketsets, only one can be selected for installation on the upper and lowerseat-bracket receptacles 24, 20 (step 510). As discussed above, theupper and lower seat-bracket receptacles 24, 20 are configured toalternatively and exclusively receive either the rotational seat bracketset or the rotation-free seat bracket set. The selected seat bracket setis then prepared for installation onto the vehicle frame 12.

While the connection of the rotation-free seat bracket set and therotational seat bracket set is described as being alternative andexclusive, it is contemplated that during the manufacture of thevehicle, if an error is made, in the installation of the rotational orrotation-free seat bracket set, such an error can, in certaincircumstances, be corrected. By way of explanation, and not limitation,where the rotational and non-rotational seat bracket sets are connectedto the vehicle frame 12 in a bolt-type connection, the rotational ornon-rotational seat bracket sets can be removed and replaced to correctan error shortly after being installed. However, once installed, andassembly continues to a certain point thereafter, it is contemplatedthat the rotational and rotation-free seat frame assemblies 46, 44 arenot substantially removable absent substantial damage or destruction ofvarious components of the vehicle 16. Once selected, the selected seatbracket set, either the rotation-free seat bracket set or the rotationalseat bracket set, is connected to the lower and upper seat-bracketreceptacles 24, 20 (step 512). Once installed, the rotational seatbracket set is positioned to receive a rotational seat frame 72 of therotational seat frame assembly 46. Alternatively, if the rotation-freeseat bracket set is selected and installed upon the vehicle frame 12,the rotation-free seat bracket set is positioned to receive therotation-free seat frame 70 in a non-rotational position 120 upon thevehicle frame 12. In this manner, the seat frame 28 is connected to thelower seat-bracket receptacle 20 and the upper seat-bracket receptacle24 via the selected seat bracket set (either the rotational orrotation-free seat bracket sets) and installed upon the vehicle frame 12at the lower and upper seat-bracket receptacles 20, 24. When theselected seat bracket set is the rotation-free seat bracket set, theseat frame 28 is fixedly connected to the lower rotation-free bracket 30such that the seat frame 28 is not capable of rotational movementrelative to the vehicle frame 12. Alternatively, when the selected seatbracket set is the rotational seat bracket set, the seat frame 28 isrotationally connected to the lower rotational bracket 32 such that theseat frame 28 is at least selectively rotatable relative to the vehicleframe 12 (step 514).

According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that the use ofthe rotation-free seat frame assembly 44 can save significant costs,resources, materials and is generally more efficient than variousconventional non-rotational seat assemblies that involve the use of arotational pivot point 140 and a fixedly attached upper portion of aseat frame 28 to prevent rotation of the rear seat 14 after manufacture.Such systems that modify a conventional rotating seat frame assembly tobe non-rotational, can include various latch systems that canincorporate substantially intricate mechanisms to permanently fix alower portion 82 of the rotational seat frame 28 to the frame 12 of thevehicle 16.

Alternatively, the rotation-free seat frame assembly 44 described abovecan include an engagement protrusion 110 of the rotation-free seat frame70 that can be in the form of a wire that is welded to the seat frame28, where the wire engages the vertically-oriented slot 100 of the upperrotation-free bracket 40. In this manner, the welded wire that acts asthe engagement protrusion 110 engages the vertically-oriented slot 100to position the lower portion 82 of the rotation-free seat frame 70 suchthat the connection point 80 of the lower portion 82 of therotation-free seat frame 70 can be bolted, welded, riveted, or otherwisepermanently affixed to the bracket attachment portion 86 of the lowerrotation-free bracket 30. In this manner, the upper rotation-freebracket 40 can serve as a positioning mechanism while the lowerrotation-free bracket 30 serves as the primary attachment mechanism thatconnects the rotation-free seat frame 70 to the vehicle frame 12. Thisconfiguration can save significant costs and require the elimination ofa substantial number of steps in manufacturing a vehicle 16 having afixed rear seat 14. Accordingly, the process for manufacturing a fixedrear seat 14 is simplified without modifying the construction of thevehicle frame 12 to accommodate the rotational seat frame assembly 46versus the rotation-free seat frame assembly 44. Additionally, asdiscussed above, the rotation-free seat frame assembly 44 discussedabove utilizes less components than a conventional non-rotational seatassembly that is modified to not rotate relative to the vehicle frame 12of the vehicle 16.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for installing a rear seat on a vehicleframe, the method comprising steps of: providing the vehicle framehaving lower and upper bracket receptacles; providing a seat frameconfigured to engage the lower and upper bracket receptacles; providinga fixed-frame bracket set that includes a lower fixed-frame bracket andan upper fixed-frame bracket; providing a frame-rotating bracket setthat includes a lower frame-rotating bracket and an upper frame-rotatingbracket; selecting only one of the fixed-frame bracket set and theframe-rotating bracket set for engagement with the lower and upperbracket receptacles to determine a selected seat bracket set; connectingthe selected seat bracket set to the lower and upper bracketreceptacles; and connecting the seat frame to the lower and upperbracket receptacles via the selected seat bracket set, wherein when theselected seat bracket set is the fixed-frame bracket set, the seat frameis fixedly connected to the lower fixed-frame bracket such that the seatframe is not capable of rotational movement relative to the vehicleframe, and wherein when the selected seat bracket set is theframe-rotating bracket set, the seat frame is rotationally connected tothe lower frame-rotating bracket such that the seat frame is selectivelyrotatable relative to the vehicle frame between a plurality ofpositions.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the selected seatbracket set is the fixed-frame bracket set, the lower fixed-framebracket includes a bolted connection to fixedly connect the seat frameand the lower fixed-frame bracket.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theupper fixed-frame bracket includes a vertically-oriented slot thatfixedly receives a portion of the seat frame when the selected seatbracket set is the fixed-frame bracket set.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the seat frame includes an engagement protrusion that slidablyengages the vertically-oriented slot.
 5. The method of claim 3, whereinthe vertically oriented slot is free of fasteners.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein engagement of the engagement protrusion and thevertically oriented slot defines a single-use retaining mechanism forretaining the seat frame to the lower and upper bracket receptacles. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the upper frame-rotating bracket includesa striker that selectively engages a portion of the seat frame when theselected seat bracket set is the frame-rotating bracket set.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a seat frame includesproviding a fixed seat frame and a rotating seat frame and selecting oneof the fixed seat frame and the rotating seat frame, wherein the fixedseat frame corresponds to the fixed-frame bracket set and the rotatingseat frame corresponds to the frame-rotating bracket set.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein the rotational seat frame includes a pivot pointthat rotationally engages the lower frame-rotating bracket of theframe-rotating bracket set when the frame-rotating bracket set is theselected seat bracket set.
 10. A method for installing a rear seat on avehicle frame, the method comprising steps of: providing the vehicleframe having a lower bracket receptacle and an upper bracket receptacle;providing a seat frame configured to engage the lower and upper bracketreceptacles; providing a rotation-free seat bracket set that includes alower rotation-free bracket and an upper rotation-free bracket;providing a rotational seat bracket set that includes a lower rotationalbracket and an upper rotational bracket; selecting only one of therotation-free seat bracket set and the rotational seat bracket set forengagement with the lower and upper bracket receptacles to determine aselected seat bracket set; connecting the selected seat bracket set tothe lower and upper bracket receptacles; and connecting the seat frameto the lower bracket receptacle and the upper bracket receptacle via theselected seat bracket set, wherein when the selected seat bracket set isthe rotation-free seat bracket set, the seat frame is fixedly connectedto the lower rotation-free bracket such that the seat frame is notcapable of rotational movement relative to the vehicle frame, andwherein when the selected seat bracket set is the rotational seatbracket set, the seat frame is rotationally connected to the lowerrotational bracket such that the seat frame is selectively rotatablerelative to the vehicle frame.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein whenthe selected seat bracket set is the rotation-free seat bracket set, thelower rotation-free bracket includes a bolted connection to fixedlyconnect the seat frame and the lower rotation-free bracket.
 12. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the upper rotation-free bracket includes avertically-oriented slot that fixedly receives a portion of the seatframe when the selected seat bracket set is the rotation-free seatbracket set.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the upper rotationalbracket includes a striker that selectively engages a portion of theseat frame when the selected seat bracket set is the rotational seatbracket set.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of providing aseat frame includes providing a rotation-free seat frame and arotational seat frame and selecting one of the rotation-free seat frameand the rotational seat frame, wherein the rotation-free seat framecorresponds to the rotation-free seat bracket set and the rotationalseat frame corresponds to the rotational seat bracket set.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the rotational seat frame includes a pivotpoint that rotationally engages the lower rotational bracket of therotational seat bracket set when the rotational seat bracket set is theselected seat bracket set.
 16. A method for installing a vehicle rearseat comprising steps of: defining lower and upper bracket receptaclesin a vehicle frame; providing a fixed-frame bracket set; providing aframe-rotating bracket set; attaching one of the fixed-frame and framerotating bracket sets and the frame-rotating bracket to the lower andupper bracket receptacles to determine a selected seat bracket set; andconnecting a seat frame to the selected seat bracket set.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein when the selected seat bracket set is thefixed-frame bracket set, the fixed-frame bracket set defines asingle-use retaining mechanism such that the seat frame is not capableof rotational movement relative to the vehicle frame.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the fixed-frame bracket set includes avertically-oriented slot proximate the upper bracket receptacle thatfixedly receives a portion of the seat frame, wherein thevertically-oriented slot defines a portion of the single-use retainingmechanism.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein when the selected seatbracket set is the frame-rotating bracket set, the seat frame isrotationally connected to a lower frame-rotating bracket such that theseat frame is selectively rotatable relative to the vehicle framebetween a plurality of positions.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinthe seat frame includes a pivot point that rotationally engages theframe-rotating bracket set.